Consecrated Life » Uncategorized

Friday Community Highlight: Sisters of St. Francis of the Immaculate Conception

Jodith — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 08:00:36 +0000

The Sisters of St. Francis of the Immaculate Conception in Hankinson, ND, is the North American Province of an international order that originated in Germany. Other provinces are in Germany, Brazil and India, as well as mission sites in Albania, Spain and Switzerland.

The Sisters wear a modified habit and veil. Their apostolic works include making liturgical vestments as well as conducting a lay retreat program offering spiritual direction at the Motherhouse in Hankinson; sponsoring and administering St. Gerard’s Community Nursing Home, Independent Living and Childcare in Hankinson; teaching at Little Flower School, Rugby and in Parish Schools of Religion; serving elderly residents and others who need supervised living at St. Anne’s Guest Home in Grand Forks; offering health care services at Oakes Community Hospital, Oakes. They are also actively involved in pro-life work, prayer support, administrative and domestic services in their own convents as well as in youth work around the area. Some Sisters are engaged in arts and crafts, others in music.

You can read the Sisters most recent newsletter online: Hankinson Franciscans News and Review.

Amazon.com Widgets

Copywrite: Consecrated Life

Friday Community Highlight: Sisters of St. Francis of the Immaculate Conception

Video Monday: Benedictines at Ferdinand Indiana

Jodith — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:00:39 +0000

The Benedictines at Ferdinand, Indiana are one of the groups I visited when I was discerning religious life. They are a wonderful community. This is part 1 of 11 of their vocation video. You can see the rest of the parts by going to YouTube.

Copywrite: Consecrated Life

Video Monday: Benedictines at Ferdinand Indiana

Video Monday: Interested in Becoming a Sister

Jodith — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 17:01:30 +0000

This is a vocation video of the Dominican Sisters of St. Mary of the Springs. It’s essentially a slide show with a musical background. The song, “Swimming to the Other Side”, is worth watching the video all by itself. I must go find a copy of it somewhere.

Copywrite: Consecrated Life

Video Monday: Interested in Becoming a Sister

Tuesday Book Review

Jodith — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:38:09 +0000

Learning the Art of Discernment
I first read Weeds Among the Wheat, by Thomas Green, SJ, early in my discernment of religious life. I had first read his book, Opening to God, and found it so helpful, I purchased several of his other books.

Weeds Among the Wheat is a book specifically about discernment. As in Opening to God, Green writes simply of a profound subject, how to discern God’s word for us in our lives. How to hear His voice.

Every day we are inundated with stimuli. Television, books, newspapers, radio, internet, friends, family, coworkers, pastors. How do we, among the cacophany, hear that small, still voice that tells us His plan.

After each chapter, Father Green offers exercises to help us learn the art of discernment. These exercises can have a profound impact on the development of our spirituality and on how we act upon the message of God leading us forward.

“Where Prayer and Action Meet”
Our discernment should always lead to decisions and actions. That, after all, is what discernment is all about. Discernment isn’t something that we do once and then never think about again. Discernment is something we do every day, day in and day out. Every decision we make should be discerned in light of our beliefs. Weeds Among the Wheat can help us all to learn how discernment functions so that we can continue to discern God’s path for us throughout our lives.

This is a book that is valuable not just for those discerning religious life, not just Catholics, and not even just Christians. It is an important book for anyone who is discerning any decision in their lives according to their beliefs.

Copywrite: Consecrated Life

Tuesday Book Review

Wednesday Discernment Link: Lectio Devina

Jodith — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:44:40 +0000

Lectio Devina, “a slow contemplative praying of the scriptures”.

The Sisters of St. Clare in Saginaw, Michigan, have a wonderfully instructive page on the art of Lectio Devina. Lectio is a wonderful tool for anyone who is discerning. This ancient practice helps one to hear the voice of God speaking to us in the scriptures.

Lectio isn’t something one learns to do in one sitting. It takes practice and work, as do most things of value. The Sisters of St. Clare have provided a great guide to helping you along the way of learning the art of Lectio Devina.

Copywrite: Consecrated Life

Wednesday Discernment Link: Lectio Devina

Wednesday Discerntment Link: A Guide to Religious Ministries

Jodith — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 19:53:42 +0000

Previously only a print document, often called the Blue Book, Religious Ministries has expanded to a website.

Religious Ministries is probably the most comprehensive listing of Roman Catholic religious communties in the United States. They list not only those communities that have an on-line presence, but all communities in the US. Listings include “diocesan vocation offices, religious communities active in the United States, lay ministry organizations, secular institutes, associate societies, religious study opportunities and retreat centers.”

Religious Ministries has been helpful to me not only when I was discerning, but in also trying to keep this website up to date. So, go take a look. You can also get a copy of the book. They are often distributed for free through your local diocesan vocation office, or you can contact the publishers directly to get a copy if you prefer a hard copy.

Copywrite: Consecrated Life

Wednesday Discerntment Link: A Guide to Religious Ministries

Wednesday Discernment Link: Meg Funk

Jodith — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:42:39 +0000

While this site isn’t specifically about discernment, I think it has a great deal to offer anyone who is currently discerning religious life, as well as anyone seeking to live a more holy life in general.

Meg Funk is actually Sr. Mary Margaret Funk, OSB of Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove, Indiana. I’ve been subscribed to her blog feed for a while now. She writes about many things, but mostly about meditative practices and prayer. I highly recommend her blog for anyone who wants to pursue a life of holiness.

Copywrite: Consecrated Life

Wednesday Discernment Link: Meg Funk

Wednesday Discernment Link: Catholic Vocations Ministry Australia

Jodith — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:09:39 +0000

Whether you are an Aussie or not, this is a wonderful site for those discerning religious life. Be sure, especially, to check out the discernment information and the Vocations FAQs. They’ve put a great deal of work into the site. It’s interesting, helpful, as well as visually appealing and easy to navigate. Give them a look.

Copywrite: Consecrated Life

Wednesday Discernment Link: Catholic Vocations Ministry Australia